Young Soccer All about Learning
Members of the Piedmont Academy Elementary School soccer program had a chance to learn the basics of the sport this spring and improve on their fundamentals in the process.
“We wanted to introduce the love of soccer and teach the fundamentals of the sport so that Piedmont might have both strong boys and girls junior varsity teams and ultimately create strong feeder teams for the varsity program,” said coach Christina Bramlett. “Teaching good fundamentals now is the key to having successful players as they get older.”
Approximately half of the players had never played soccer with the others having between two to five years of experience.
“I am sincerely hoping that other elementary schools will join the trend of teaching fundamentals early in a sport,” Bramlett said. “This is the most popular sport in the world.”
Since no other schools fielded Elementary School soccer programs, Piedmont divided its players into two squads. The Piedmont Blue and Piedmont Cougars practiced twice each week for a month and players committed to several Saturday soccer camps, which lasted four hours.
“Their commitment was fantastic,” said Bramlett. “They bonded well and established new friendships that will last them well into their varsity playing year. They played multiple positions on the field and some who didn’t think they could be a goalie really excelled at the position. Several players really came out of their shell on the field and gained a confidence that was a pleasure to watch.”
Players included third graders Aiden Bramlett, Alayna Carden, Barrett Downing, Davis Downs, Audrey Hagwood, Olivia Matthews, Gabe Moore, Hunter Thompson and Jamus Wingate; fourth graders Mark Myles and Greta Wilkes and fifth graders McKayla Arnold, Callie Branan, Anthony Brown, Brody Bush, Rhett Harris, Olivia McAllister, Bailey Mobley, Rep Morton, Boone Pope, Ashley Porter, Ridge Stroud and Michael Wise.
Bramlett said the season would not have been successful without the help of coaches Michael Wilson and Wes Tanner, the Piedmont Grandparents Club, the Jasper County Recreation Department, Karen Renz, Charlene Carden, Adam McGinnis, Lindsay Moore, Stefanie Thomson and Piedmont varsity soccer players Joseph Anderson, Ezra King and Brett Bush.
“I am excited to continue this program at the school for several years to come,” Bramlett said.